Billionaire’s Side Attraction

Lula Lopez

“I’m sorry, Javier,” These were the last words I said to him before he walked out, jamming the door behind him. Waves of guilt hit me over and over again. Yet I continue to ask myself: How could I have overreacted like that?

Once again, I have ruined a good thing with my own hands. I must be cursed. My mom’s words suddenly made more sense to me. My daddy’s death happened because of me because I was being such a stupid kid; I know this because my mom never lets me forget it. Sometimes I feel as though she hates me for something I could not control.

I dropped onto Javier’s bed as the events of some minutes ago flashed before my eyes. The words I said to him, how I didn’t let him explain himself. I cannot begin to imagine how hurt he must be. So what if he posts a picture about us, what’s so wrong with that? Carlos is living his life with Celia as if he never existed in it. It is only fair for me to live my life and share it with the world, just as he is doing. Maybe Javier did it to taunt Carlos on my behalf, either way, it’s a genius plan. But he said he didn’t do it.

I shouldn’t have said that last sentence, Javier Lorenzo is a brilliant producer, his studio has produced some of the best voices in America. A few hours after I met him, I read about him. I came across an interview with one of his musicians who talked about how Javier works with his singers; He lets them be themselves and continues to encourage them. He doesn’t try to cheat them. Maybe that’s why he is hated by many because he keeps it real and hates pretenders. Now, I have hurt the feelings of such a nobleman like him. How do I make it to him?Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Rosa was more freaked out about Javier’s disappearance than I was. I watched as she panicked and ran out of the room in an attempt to catch up with him. I think Javier is right about her, she is bad news, and I’m stuck with her. And it’s all my fault.

I shot up from the bed and went to the other room I shared with Rosa. I packed up all my stuff then I went to my nightstand to get my phone, but it wasn’t there! “Where the fuck is my phone?” I asked no one in particular as I ransacked through my things. I couldn’t find the damn device. I was going crazy looking for it until I grew suspicious of Rosa, that she may have taken it. I dragged my luggage down to the reception area of the inn. Rosa was nowhere to be found.

I walked up to the receptionist who seemed nicer than the last motel lady. I smile at her even though I was boiling inside. “Hi, did you see the other girl I came with?”

“No,” was her response. That was when I started to realize how stupid I was. I did not listen to Javier, now he is nowhere to be seen. And Rosa seemed to have disappeared from the surface of the earth. Where in the world is she?!

I tried to stop myself from thinking negatively or concluding too soon, so I went outside to look for her car but couldn’t find her car there. Thankfully, it seemed the boulder had been removed from the highway because vehicles were driving by smoothly. That was when it hit me that I needed to get outta there! Javier or no Javier.

I returned to the reception area and met with a nice lady in a pink shirt and an ID card with the name Hilda. “Excuse me, Hilda, is there any way I can rent a car?”

“I’m sorry ma’am but that wouldn’t be possible, especially at this time of night. Maybe you can wait till tomorrow?” she said apologetically.

Shucks! I don’t have a choice, there’s nowhere to go. I was hoping Javier would forgive me and return to me. Good God, if I saw Javier right now, I’d apologize for the words I said to him.

I went up the stairs and entered the room he occupied. I locked the door and blocked it with all kinds of stuff to keep Rosa or anyone else from entering. The only password to get in would be Javier’s voice.

I spread across the soft mattress, waiting for either Javier or Rosa to knock on the door. Sadly, none of them showed up, and before I could stop myself, my eyelids grew heavy and I slowly drifted off into the land of sleep…

***

I opened my eyes as soon as I heard a jerking sound. I jumped to my feet and looked at the door but saw no one. The door was still locked… thank God, I’m still safe. I heaved a sigh of relief, but something caught my eye. A shadow, and reflection in the tv. I froze, my body was alerted of the possible danger.

I turned around and found three masked men behind me! I gasped in alarm but stood my ground. “Who are you?”

One of the men brought out a gun from his back pocket and pointed it at my face. “Get on your knees, now!” His thick voice scared me to the bones.

I did as he said, and he approached me slowly. His face was covered like the other two. My hands shuddered as he got too close and gripped my arm. I yelped in pain but it only made matters worse. His grip around my arm tightened even more. “Please let me go.” I cried, my voice had turned throaty because of how exhausted I was. But without warning, the butt of his gun landed on my head and everything went blank from there.

*Javier, where are you, please save me*